Coolant in the throttle body?!
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1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2012
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Coolant in the throttle body?!
So...before I start dismantling this thing, I was hoping for words of wisdom, or at least offerings as to what others might think is the root of this.
The long story:
My 2003 R53 has been acting a bit odd lately. I thought it was the fuel pump, as is seemed like the engine was acting as if it wanted more fuel (hard to start, "bogging down" on heavy peddle depression, and would pick up when the throttle was eased back on). So I replaced it. That seemed to work, at first...but then it started being real hard to start. I would need to "prime" it by turning on the key a few times and letting the fuel pump prime the line before starting it, even then, it would only, but nearly always, start on the third attempt. I also replaced the fuel filter, no change. It wasn't ideal, but I ignored the issue, as I only drive a little ways to work, and life has been hectic. I never pulled the CEL codes. I was just happy it got me to work. I was wondering about maybe a vacuum line, or something as the fuel tank never seemed to pressurize. Anyways...driving home last night it lost nearly all power. It didn't go into limp mode...just acted like it couldn't get fuel...would "bog" if I pressed to hard on the peddle, but would slowly get up to 3k for a shift to the next gear...so I made it home.
I took the intake tubing off to see the throttle body, wondering if it was just worn out or something, and to look for fuel lines, and vacuum hoses. Well I tried to start the car, as it still acts like it wants to fire up, and will, just with a horrid rough idle...to see if I could notice anything...and I did. Coolant sputtered up from the throttle body. I shut it down and stuck a rag on a stick down the throttle body opening...it came back soaked in coolant. So...what do you think would be the most likely source of this coolant? I checked the oil and it didn't look like it had water in it. Coolant at that spot would mean it came through the supercharger? Isn't the water pump on the far side of the SC? Does it ever crack through? Could the weird lack of power be some leak in the SC due to such? I know that the only way to be sure, is to take it all apart and be sure, but I have found, that with these quirky little cars, there are often valuable insights to be learned from those who have dealt with the oddities of these MINI's.
TL;DR: Coolant sputtered out of my throttle body. WTF?
Thank you for any and all insight.
The long story:
My 2003 R53 has been acting a bit odd lately. I thought it was the fuel pump, as is seemed like the engine was acting as if it wanted more fuel (hard to start, "bogging down" on heavy peddle depression, and would pick up when the throttle was eased back on). So I replaced it. That seemed to work, at first...but then it started being real hard to start. I would need to "prime" it by turning on the key a few times and letting the fuel pump prime the line before starting it, even then, it would only, but nearly always, start on the third attempt. I also replaced the fuel filter, no change. It wasn't ideal, but I ignored the issue, as I only drive a little ways to work, and life has been hectic. I never pulled the CEL codes. I was just happy it got me to work. I was wondering about maybe a vacuum line, or something as the fuel tank never seemed to pressurize. Anyways...driving home last night it lost nearly all power. It didn't go into limp mode...just acted like it couldn't get fuel...would "bog" if I pressed to hard on the peddle, but would slowly get up to 3k for a shift to the next gear...so I made it home.
I took the intake tubing off to see the throttle body, wondering if it was just worn out or something, and to look for fuel lines, and vacuum hoses. Well I tried to start the car, as it still acts like it wants to fire up, and will, just with a horrid rough idle...to see if I could notice anything...and I did. Coolant sputtered up from the throttle body. I shut it down and stuck a rag on a stick down the throttle body opening...it came back soaked in coolant. So...what do you think would be the most likely source of this coolant? I checked the oil and it didn't look like it had water in it. Coolant at that spot would mean it came through the supercharger? Isn't the water pump on the far side of the SC? Does it ever crack through? Could the weird lack of power be some leak in the SC due to such? I know that the only way to be sure, is to take it all apart and be sure, but I have found, that with these quirky little cars, there are often valuable insights to be learned from those who have dealt with the oddities of these MINI's.
TL;DR: Coolant sputtered out of my throttle body. WTF?
Thank you for any and all insight.
lmao...love the tl;dr.
Anyway, the cooling & intake systems are entirely separate from one another. Likewise, the supercharger & water pump share no fluid. They're joined mechanically by a little-cog-thingy.
Hm, have you put an aftermarket intake on your car, perchance? And/or removed the panel behind the intake?
The only way I would think water would enter the intake system is...well, through the intake. The supercharger is after the throttle body, the only direction fluid would go is into the supercharger, not out of it.
Here's the RealOEM cooling page for our cars. It might help visualize how everything is connected. In the "CHARGE-AIR" category, the throttle body attaches via 4 bolts to part #18.
As far as bogging down, have you replaced the spark plugs? (NGK BKR6EQUP if running a stock pulley.) Also check the coil pack terminals (especially cyl #3). They're prone to corrosion.
If so, a light wire brush will clean them right up (take care not to leave scratches), no need to waste the money on a coil pack if it's just a little rusty.
Anyway, the cooling & intake systems are entirely separate from one another. Likewise, the supercharger & water pump share no fluid. They're joined mechanically by a little-cog-thingy.
Hm, have you put an aftermarket intake on your car, perchance? And/or removed the panel behind the intake?
The only way I would think water would enter the intake system is...well, through the intake. The supercharger is after the throttle body, the only direction fluid would go is into the supercharger, not out of it.
Here's the RealOEM cooling page for our cars. It might help visualize how everything is connected. In the "CHARGE-AIR" category, the throttle body attaches via 4 bolts to part #18.
As far as bogging down, have you replaced the spark plugs? (NGK BKR6EQUP if running a stock pulley.) Also check the coil pack terminals (especially cyl #3). They're prone to corrosion.
If so, a light wire brush will clean them right up (take care not to leave scratches), no need to waste the money on a coil pack if it's just a little rusty.
Last edited by sarom058; Feb 8, 2017 at 10:20 AM.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2012
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Thank you for the awesome link! That is how I had visualized the system. I knew they were separate; I was just hoping there was some "common MINI flaw" (like the timing chain tensioner on the R56's) that might have occurred. It is odd to me in that I couldn't visualize water in the oil (like a cracked head) or oil in the coolant I saw in the downturn pipe leading from the throttle body to the supercharger. It made me think there was some crack in the SC where the water pump is mounted to it. Dunno...I'm in the process of moving, and haven't had time to pull it apart further, as it looks like I am getting to the spot where I need to put it into front end service mode. =/
Oh...the ignition system is new, the air intake is stock, and the plugs are the normal temp range NGK plugs replaced maybe 6 months ago.
Oh...the ignition system is new, the air intake is stock, and the plugs are the normal temp range NGK plugs replaced maybe 6 months ago.
lmao...love the tl;dr.
Anyway, the cooling & intake systems are entirely separate from one another. Likewise, the supercharger & water pump share no fluid. They're joined mechanically by a little-cog-thingy.
Hm, have you put an aftermarket intake on your car, perchance? And/or removed the panel behind the intake?
The only way I would think water would enter the intake system is...well, through the intake. The supercharger is after the throttle body, the only direction fluid would go is into the supercharger, not out of it.
Here's the RealOEM cooling page for our cars. It might help visualize how everything is connected. In the "CHARGE-AIR" category, the throttle body attaches via 4 bolts to part #18.
As far as bogging down, have you replaced the spark plugs? (NGK BKR6EQUP if running a stock pulley.) Also check the coil pack terminals (especially cyl #3). They're prone to corrosion.
If so, a light wire brush will clean them right up (take care not to leave scratches), no need to waste the money on a coil pack if it's just a little rusty.
Anyway, the cooling & intake systems are entirely separate from one another. Likewise, the supercharger & water pump share no fluid. They're joined mechanically by a little-cog-thingy.
Hm, have you put an aftermarket intake on your car, perchance? And/or removed the panel behind the intake?
The only way I would think water would enter the intake system is...well, through the intake. The supercharger is after the throttle body, the only direction fluid would go is into the supercharger, not out of it.
Here's the RealOEM cooling page for our cars. It might help visualize how everything is connected. In the "CHARGE-AIR" category, the throttle body attaches via 4 bolts to part #18.
As far as bogging down, have you replaced the spark plugs? (NGK BKR6EQUP if running a stock pulley.) Also check the coil pack terminals (especially cyl #3). They're prone to corrosion.
If so, a light wire brush will clean them right up (take care not to leave scratches), no need to waste the money on a coil pack if it's just a little rusty.